Daily Archives: April 12, 2012

So much for thinking niceness was cultivated by nurturing and one’s surroundings. Apparently, having receptor-producing genes for oxytocin and vasopressin underlie one’s ability to respond nicely under difficult circumstances.

“The study found that these genes combined with people’s perceptions of the world as a more or less threatening place to predict generosity,”…

…participants who reported the world to be more threatening were generally less likely to help other, unless they had versions of the receptor genes that are associated with ‘niceness,” which made them still want to help others even though they felt threatened by the world.

“The fact that the genes predicted behavior only in combination with people’s experiences and feelings about the world isn’t surprising because most connections between DNA and social behavior are complex,”…

How nice one is apparently starts in the genes, and is molded by life experiences. Maybe researchers can someday come up with some medication to help endow those without the “nice” DNA, to help them develop that part of their personality. The world would be grateful.